Character Interview: Maurice of R. L. Naquin's MONSTER IN MY CLOSET!

Today Here Be Magic has the distinct pleasure of interviewing Maurice, the Monster from R. L. Naquin's new book MONSTER IN MY CLOSET!

Here's what the book is about, as explained by Zoey Donovan, the heroine:

I stopped believing in monsters long ago. But I knew I wasn't imagining things when I found one in my kitchen baking muffins. I'd seen him before: lurking in my closet, scaring the crap out of my five-year-old self. Turns out that was a misunderstanding, and now Maurice needs a place to stay. How could I say no?
After all, I've always been a magnet for the emotionally needy, and not just in my work as a wedding planner. Being able to sense the feelings of others can be a major pain. Don't get me wrong, I like helping people—and non-people. But this ability has turned me into a gourmet feast for an incubus, a demon that feeds off emotional energy. Now, brides are dropping dead all over town, and my home has become a safe house for the supernatural. I must learn to focus my powers and defeat the demon before he snacks on another innocent woman and comes looking for the main course...

And now to interview Maurice:

What was your life like growing up?
Up until I was eight, I lived with my parents. I don’t really like to talk about it. After the fire, I lived at Zoey’s house for awhile. Her mom was awesome. I still miss her sometimes. She found me a great foster family with lots of other monsters my age. I had a rough start, but it was a good life. A lot of good people in it.
Before the action in the book, what were your plans/hopes for the future?
I wanted kids of my own. Maybe open a restaurant for the Hidden. A nice, normal, happy life in the suburbs with my wife.
What changed that?
My wife, Pansy, changed all that. She was sleeping with a bridge troll. I was willing to try to work it out, but she wasn’t. That’s why I went to Zoey’s house. With my foster parents retired and living in a condo in Italy, I didn’t have anywhere else to go. I used to be happy at Zoey’s. I needed a friend.
How would you describe your personality?
Friendly? I don’t know. I’m just a regular guy who happens to sleep in a closet. I like to take care of the people I love—you know, cooking for them, cleaning up. It’s better when they appreciate it, though. Pansy never noticed, but Zoey cares. That means a lot.
Do you have a motto or code you live by?
Sit-sit-sit! You’ll feel better after you eat something!
What one thing would you take to a desert island?
My iPod. Zoey bought it for me so it wouldn’t be so quiet around here when she’s at work.
Where would you go on vacation?
England. I hear they have wardrobes there instead of closets. That sounds so exotic.
What is your most distinguishing characteristic?
Personally, I’d say it’s my snappy sense of style. Zoey doesn’t think so, though. She says I dress like a circus clown. Considering how weird her wardrobe is, I don’t think she’s a good judge. I guess my eyes are kind of striking. They’re big and yellow. You don’t see that very often.
What is your major skill or talent?
I love cooking more than anything in the world. I got my start as a kid with Zoey’s Easy Bake Oven in her closet while she was asleep. I got into a lot of trouble for doing that. So worth it.
What’s your favorite color? Favorite food?
Color? Plaid, like my favorite pants. Food? Pickled eggs, but Zoey won’t let me make them since they stink up the whole house.
If you had to pick another career, what would it be?
I would make an awesome deejay.
What’s on your bucket list?
I’m still trying to get the wine stain out of Zoey’s Egyptian carpet. It looks like Phyllis Diller, and it was there when I moved in. Don’t tell Zoey I said this, but she can really be a slob sometimes.
Which actor or actress would you want to play you in the movie?
Paul Rudd. He’s everywhere these days. He’ll have to stop eating for awhile first, though. I’m really skinny.
Who are your closest friends?
Zoey’s my best friend, of course. And there’s Iris, the skunk-ape, Molly, the brownie, and I really like Zoey’s friend Andrew, but I’m still kind of shy around him. Unknown humans make me nervous.
Who do you love?
I still love Pansy. I know I shouldn’t, but I’m still holding out hope that we can work out our problems.
What are your future plans?
Sometime this week I’m going to try making a chocolate soufflé. It’ll be epic! Further into the future? Keeping Zoey alive. Maybe getting my wife back and going home. I don’t know. One thing at a time. Let’s focus on the soufflé. 

While he focuses on the souffle, I interviewed Zoey on my blog this week and R. L. is doing a giveaway of the book plus a $10.00 Amazon gift card over there.

But we'd appreciate comments here too, even though it's not a giveaway!  Did you have an imaginary playmate (or monster) when you were a kid?

You can find the book here:
Carina Press  Amazon  Barnes & Noble
<= Here’s R. L. , by the way!